[54] Soothsayers.
[55] In astrology, the scheme or figure of the heavens at the moment of a person's birth. From this the astrologers pretended to foretell a man's destiny.
[56] Roger Bacon, a Franciscan friar of the thirteenth century, had a knowledge of mechanics and optics far in advance of his age: hence he was commonly regarded as a wizard. The brazen head which he manufactured was supposed to assist him in his necromantic feats; it is so introduced by Greene in his play of Friar Bacon and Friar Bungay (1594).
[57] A fortune teller who lived in the reign of Henry VIII., and was famous for her prophecies.
[58] The most celebrated magician of mediæval times (see Spenser's Faërie Queene and Tennyson's Merlin and Vivien).
[59] Linen collar or ruff.
[60] Him.
[61] The interlude was originally a short, humorous play acted in the midst of a morality play to relieve the tedium of that very tedious performance. From the interlude was developed farce; and from farce, comedy.
[62] Charles II. and his courtiers, from their long exile in France, brought back to England with them French fashions in literature and in art.
[63] To be acted.